Question

Subject matter of political science

Answer 1

Subject Matter

Political Science is a discipline that scrutinizes politics in national and international arenas. One of its core tasks is a consideration of the various ways that political systems react to social problems, such as unemployment and disenchantment with politics, and analysis of how concrete policies are formulated and implemented to counter these issues. In addition to the aspect of political decision-making, we also look at political institutions (e.g. parliaments, voting systems, the European Union) and those involved in the political process (e.g. political parties and citizens).

The discipline in its current form is characterized by six core areas, all of which are covered in teaching and research at Mainz University's Institute of Political Science; these are domestic politics and political sociology, analysis and comparison of political systems, international relations, political theory, politics and the economy, and methodologies. The focal points of political science at Mainz University include election and party research, with a particular focus on the phenomena of right-wing extremism, as well as the comparative research of democracy (the functionality and the performance of western democracies, the consolidation of democracies in central and eastern Europe, the attitudes of citizens toward European integration). In the field of international politics, the focus is on the theories of international relations as well as on political actors and organizations such as the European Union. The field of political theory deals mainly with contract theory and democracy theory, questions of political ethics, theories of action, and theories of rational choice. In the area of politics and the economy, subjects such as federalism, and regional and communal research are covered, as well as theoretical and empirical bases of social capital research. Those studying Political Science at the University of Mainz not only acquire specialist knowledge of the subject, but also receive excellent training in the related methods that can be employed, such as opinion poll research and statistics.